Glenrothes 15 yo 2008/2023 (58.9%, Alambic Classique, Caroni Rum barrel, cask #23023, 239 bottles)
Glenrothes-Glenlivet 17 yo 2001/2018 (54%, Cadenhead, Authentic Collection, bourbon hogshead, 240 bottles)
Glenrothes 30 yo 1990/2020 (61.7%, Alambic…
Glenrothes 15 yo 2008/2023 (58.9%, Alambic Classique, Caroni Rum barrel, cask #23023, 239 bottles)
Glenrothes-Glenlivet 17 yo 2001/2018 (54%, Cadenhead, Authentic Collection, bourbon hogshead, 240 bottles)
Glenrothes 30 yo 1990/2020 (61.7%, Alambic Classique, Rare & Old Selection, oloroso sherry cask, cask #20026, 113 bottles)
Glenrothes 36 yo 1986/2022 (45.6%, Acla da Fans, 10th Anniversary, hogshead, cask #2125)
Glenrothes 43 yo (42.6%, Duncan Taylor, 66 bottles, 2013-2024)
Bessie Smith had the first hit with “Careless Love” in 1925.The tremendous success of Old Crow, the first modern bourbon, produced several fortunes in the decades before Prohibition. Few profited more than the Berry family. Hiram Berry joined the…
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| Bessie Smith had the first hit with "Careless Love" in 1925. |
The 10th Street Distillery has once again proven its excellence on the international stage. Its Triple Cask Single Malt has won the prestigious top award of “Best in Show, Double Gold” at the Whiskies of the World 2024 competition. As part of the judging, the award-winning whisky, nicknamed “Dragon”, stood out among hundreds of other […]
The post 10th Street Distillery Wins Double Gold at Whiskies of the World first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..
The 10th Street Distillery has once again proven its excellence on the international stage. Its Triple Cask Single Malt has won the prestigious top award of “Best in Show, Double Gold” at the Whiskies of the World 2024 competition.
As part of the judging, the award-winning whisky, nicknamed “Dragon”, stood out among hundreds of other world-class candidates, including Scotches, Irish whiskies, Rye and Bourbons, as well as Single Malts from Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
“This is the second time one of our whiskies has earned the distinguished ‘Best in Show’ title at a major international competition, firmly establishing American Single Malts as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage,” said Virag Saksena, CEO at 10th Street Distillery.
“This award is more than just recognition; it’s a testament to the passion, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle we produce. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team and loyal supporters for making this possible.”
Having first matured in STR casks, then California Pinot Noir casks, and finally finishing in Port casks, it presents a tawny port hue. Its palate reveals waves of toffee, dark chocolate, and roasted nuts, balanced by layers of spice and charred wood.
In addition, at this year’s competition, 10th Street Distillery’s Cut Peated Single Malt won a Double Gold Medal.
The blend was crafted from Peated Barley aged in Bourbon casks and then finished in Port casks. It has a symphony of flavors, with a smoky, earthy core accented by luscious notes of smoked cherries, followed by a velvety port finish that lingers.
The Whiskies of the World competition is known for its meticulous blind-tasting process. By removing details of producer and price from the process, the best whiskies-like 10th Street-are recognized for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
The post 10th Street Distillery Wins Double Gold at Whiskies of the World first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..
Glenfiddich ‘Reserve Cask’ (40%, OB, travel retail, 1l, +/-2024)
Glenfiddich 29 yo ‘Grand Yozakura’ (45.1%, OB, Japanese Awamori Finish, 2023)
Glenfiddich ‘Reserve Cask’ (40%, OB, travel retail, 1l, +/-2024)
Glenfiddich 29 yo ‘Grand Yozakura’ (45.1%, OB, Japanese Awamori Finish, 2023)
This month’s super-sized tasting kits included seven samples providing a fantastic range of expressions, including budget-friendly bottles and pricier, hard-to-find new releases.
Our fourth Bourbon in the Blind (BITB) Live Tasting of the Year was held this past Thursday. This month's super-sized tasting kits included seven samples providing a fantastic range of expressions, including budget-friendly bottles and pricier, hard-to-find new releases. As always, hanging out with everyone to enjoy the samples and discuss whiskey-related topics was a blast.
Below is a replay of the tasting for the BITB members who could not join us live.
Enjoy!
PS – Interested in joining the BITB Club? We've got a few remaining slots available. Sign up via this link.
Old Pulteney 16 yo ‘Travellers’ Exclusive’ (43%, OB, bourbon and Spanish oak, 2023)Old Pulteney 25 yo (46%, OB, American oak and Spanish oak casks, +/-2024)
Old Pulteney 16 yo ‘Travellers' Exclusive’ (43%, OB, bourbon and Spanish oak, 2023)
Old Pulteney 25 yo (46%, OB, American oak and Spanish oak casks, +/-2024)
The Speyside distillery of Glen Grant has revealed a new set of whiskies named The Glasshouse Collection. The trio represent the oldest permanent expressions to be released by the distillery. They also represent the final bottlings created by legendar…
The collection is inspired by James 'The Major' Grant - a key figure in Glen Grant's history. He was an avid plant collector and travelled the world during the Victorian era, bringing specimens back to Scotland to grow in a huge greenhouse that he built on the distillery grounds. The different names refer to how the light changes during the day in the glasshouse.
Glen Grant is located in the small town of Rothes in the centre of the Speyside region of Scotland. The distillery was founded by James and John Grant in 1840, and the brothers decided to use their surname for the distillery name. Glen Grant remained in their direct ownership until 1872 when James died (John had died in 1864). The distillery was then inherited by James’ son, James Grant Jnr.
Glen Grant remained under the family ownership until Grant Jnr’s grandson, Major Douglas Mackessack, sold it to the Canadian group Seagrams in 1972. Following numerous subsequent takeovers, the Italian drinks company Gruppo Campari took control in 2006. They purchased the distillery and brand due to its popularity in the Italian market and re-launched the single malt range in 2007. The current production capacity of six million litres per year, making it one of the larger distilleries in Speyside.
The Glasshouse Collection consists of three whiskies and celebrates the enhanced ageing properties of Glen Grant. The Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light is bottled at 46% ABV as is the Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour. The Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight is bottled at 48% ABV. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour, and have been matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, with the sherry cask influence increasing with age. This is 20%, 40% and 60% respectively.
The Glen Grant 21 years old and 25 years old are available in UK retailers now. They will £250 and £735 respectively. The Glen Grant 30 years old will appear later in 2024 with the retail price to be confirmed. The rumour is that it will be around £1,200. A wider world release for the collection is also expected at some point.
Our Tasting Notes
Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light
On the palate this whisky is soft, creamy and gentle. Notes of baked apple, vanilla custard and muscovado sugar kick things off and are followed by hints of ripe tropical fruits (think of pineapple and mango especially), plump sultana and juicy raisin. The crème brûlée from the nose is also evident and is joined by caramel, plus warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Later spices evolve and are reminiscent of white pepper and clove. Hints of cocoa powder and milk chocolate round everything off nicely.
Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour
On the palate this whisky feels silky, velvety and luxurious. Baked apple and fresh honeycomb notes lead the way (the honey is like heather honey with a hint of manuka) and are quickly joined by sugary sultana and raisin. The baked apple note from the nose is prominent and is complimented by a delicious combination of mocha, praline and bitter orange oil. Later, some drying tannins and oaky spice develop – this gives a complex warmth and peppery quality with a hint of old cigar box and antique furniture shop.
Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight
On the palate this whisky is superbly velvety and opulent. Notes of bitter chocolate and espresso coffee are joined by a selection of stone fruit – imagine nectarine, peach and apricot. Demerara sugar, toffee and caramel are all evident as well as raisin, sultana and candied orange. A warmth develops with time, and this brings a selection of notes from the spice rack – think of allspice, mace, cinnamon bark, clove and nutmeg. These dusty spices are complimented by some drying oak and a hint of mint and menthol right at the end.
It finishes warm and hangs around a long time. Judging by its light color and lean mouthfeel, it’s about 5 years old, which would explain its lack of complexity.
SHARE WITH: Any bourbon fan.
WORTH THE PRICE: No.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar.
OVERALL: The nose is simple: oak, baking spice, a little jam cake and that's about it. On the palate it leads with toffee, baking spice, black pepper, dark stone fruit, some dried fig, a little pipe tobacco and some charred oak. It finishes warm and hangs around a long time. Judging by its light color and lean mouthfeel, I'm guessing it's about 5 years old, which would explain its lack of complexity.
It's good, sturdy Kentucky whiskey, and based on its likely Old Forester mashbill, that'll give you a hint at some of its flavor, but it lacks the boldness and depth of earlier CoK releases. That it's trading on legendary Four Roses master distiller Jim Rutledge's fine name likely explains the high MSRP. Yet despite my respect for him and his work, I'm not reaching that deeply into my pocket to purchase this.
The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon The 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon features a bold proof of 106.2, offering a rich, uncut flavor profile. This bourbon highlights the deep, caramelized notes of toffee, oak, and vanilla. The intense flavor and warming finish make this a standout choice for aficionados and collectors.
Aroma: Vanilla wafers blend with mincemeat pie and cashews.
Taste: Pleasing notes of black tea with a whisper of coconut, and dark berries.
Finish: Soft cola fades into a light nutty oak.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
This Bourbon is made by the ASW Distillery in Atlanta, Georgia. The distillery was founded by Jim Chasteen and Charlie Thompson and their Master Distiller is Justin Manglitz. I had heard good things about their whiskey so I bought this… Continue Read…
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- New Midleton is solely responsible for keeping the legacy of Irish pot still whiskey, based on a mix of malted and unmalted barley, alive. Although that style of whiskey figures in most everything they make, it was the re-launch of the brand Redbreast in 1991 that was instrumental in reviving …
By Richard Thomas
Rating: A-
New Midleton is solely responsible for keeping the legacy of Irish pot still whiskey, based on a mix of malted and unmalted barley, alive. Although that style of whiskey figures in most everything they make, it was the re-launch of the brand Redbreast in 1991 that was instrumental in reviving the distinctively Irish identity of single pot still whiskey for the modern drinker. Now New Midleton has put a new rung on the Redbreast ladder, this time in the middle: Redbreast 18 Year Old.
Single pot still whiskey is a spin-off from the single malt whiskey being made in Ireland up until 1785, when the British Crown made another effort at profiting off the hard work of the Irish people by slapping a tax on malted barley. The distillers partly dodged this tax by using the characteristic unmalted and malted barley mix (sometimes with other grains too) that characterized Irish Whiskey through its 19th Century heyday. At New Midleton, they make a few different versions of pot still whiskey, and all of it is triple distilled. But like single malt, it all comes from the same plant.
This whiskey was aged in a variety of cask stocks: ex-bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry casks, Ruby Port pipes, and (this is the unusual kicker choice) Cream Sherry casks. Master Blender Dave McCabe said of the latter choice, “By incorporating cream sherry casks, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and hazelnuts.” This middle-aged Redbreast was bottled at 46% ABV.
The Whiskey
My pour took on a dull, light amber look in the Glencairn. I found the nose to have a current of that pumpernickel and molasses that one so often finds in the American malted ryes. But there was also an earthy, nutty side to the whiskey, as well as a note of lemon zest and a robust spiciness. The palate opened rather woody, but not unduly so, before returning to a cocoa and nutty earthiness combined with boozy dark berries spiced with cinnamon. That turns peppery on the back end, before rolling into a better balanced berries-cum-cinnamon finish.
The Price
Redbreast 18 Year Old should fetch $250 a bottle.
